Sheet cutting and printing machine



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SHEET CUTTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 7June 12, 1934. c. J. BECK SHEET CUTTING AND PRINTING MACHINE 12Sheets-Sheet 8 Q: g QM f m: m: w% P Jllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ll S {E g EN :m S B3 r \M\9n 8 Q2 .93 \w n3 as JET an wh\ an Q8 *3 i F2 3 in mm\ x 9m *2 W 2 m3 9nEu E K? by r m5 N k June 12, 1934. c. J. BECK SHEET CUTTING AND PRINTINGMACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Oct. 24. 1929 rizqya June 12, 1934. c.J. BECK SHEET CUTTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1929 12Sheets-Sheet 1O June 12, 1934. c. J. BECK 1,962,128

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5 a Flier/ag June 12, 1934. c. J. BECK SHEET CUTTING AND PRINTINGMACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Oct. 24. 1929 Patented June 12, 1934SHEET CUTTING- AND PRINTING MACHI-NE' Charles J. Beck, ApplicationOctober 24,

13 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to a machine for cutting sample sheetsof. wall paper from a continuous web thereof, and for printing certainidentifying data in a desired position on the back or reverse side ofeach sample.

Prior to myinvention it has been the common practice in the wall paperindustry, in providing samples for the trade, to print identifying dataat spaced intervals along and on the back of a continuous web of wallpaper, ,the spacing of the individual blocks of printed data being lessthan the length of each sample sheetto be cut from the web, to insurethat the identifying data would be complete on each sheet when cut fromthe Web. Each sheet is of sufficient size to include one complete repeatof the design depicted on the face of the wallpaper, and as no definiterelation existed between the fullrepeats on the face of the paperlandthe blocks of data printed on the reverse side of the paper thepositions of the printed data on the reverse side at no time occupiedthe same positions with respect to the edges of the sheets, on thesample sheets successively cut from the web, and in. many instances thecut occurs at a point intermediate the ends of the block of printeddata, consequently one portion of the block of printed data appeared atone end of the sheet and another portion of the data appeared at'theopposite end of the sheet,

dition making it inconvenient to read the identifying data, especiallyafter-the samples 'had' been bound into the usual book form.

To print a block of identifying data on each sheet after it had been cutfrom the web would require extra handling and as these samples aredistributed gratis to .the trade such a method has not been employedbecause of theexpense involved, in the extra handling of the individualcupy the same relative position on each sheet.

The object of this invention is to accurately cut a web of wall paper orthe like into sheets of predetermined size, each of which shall depictat least one full repeat of the design and on the 7 same machine andwithout additional handling to print a block of identifying data on thereverse side of each sample at any desired location relative tothe edgesof the sheet; the identifying data on the successively cut sheetsoccupying the same general positions with respect to the edges of thesheets so that when a number of samples are bound into the usual bookform the identifying data of each sample will be disposed insubstantially the same position with respect to the edges of the book,thus making the "data easyfto read and considerably improving thegeneral appearance of the samplebook.

The construction and operation of the machine;

forming the subject of this invention will be which obviously created avery undesirable con-- sheets in order that the printed data might oc'-Philadelphia, Pa.

1929, Serial N0. 402,024

fully disclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one end of the machine;

Fig.4 is a similarly enlarged side elevation of the same end'of themachine, but looking from the opposite side thereof Fig. 5 is a planview of the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4; g Fig. 6 is a longitudinalsectional elevation taken on the line 6-6, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectionalplan view taken on the line, '77, Fig. 6; j

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 8-8, Fig.3; T

Fig. 9 is any enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation of the oppositeend of the machine, illustrating the feeding and cutting mechanismthereof, the section being taken on the line 99, Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 10-10, Fig. 2; v

Fig; 11 is an enlarged side elevation of a curlremoving mechanismforming part of the machine; l

Fig. 12 is a front elevation-of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line na -13, Fig. 11"; Fig. 14is a perspective view of one of the typ holders "employed in themachine;

Fig. 15 isa sectional view taken on the line 15-45, Fig. 14: and

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating a larger formof type holder. I

In the present instance, the machine comprises a feeding and cuttingunit indicated at A and a printing unit indicated at B. The feeding andcut ting unit A comprises side frames 1, 1 held in rigid laterallyspaced relation with respect to each other by suitable transverselyextending stay members 2,2. e printing 'unit'B, in the present instancecomprises side frame members 3, 3 held rigidly in laterally spacedrelation with respect to each "other by transversely extending staymembers 4, 49 The sideframe, members 1 and 3 are rigidly held inlongitudinal spaced relation with respect.

'to each other by means of connecting frame'members 5; 5 bolted orotherwise rigidly secured to the frame members 1 and 3 respectively. 1Wall paper as it is delivered from the machine Y which prints the designthereon is wound in rolls of suitable size, sometimes with thedesignface outermost other times with the design face innermost. Theserolls, if to be cut-into sample sheets,

' are then placed on a suitable support (not shown) forming the subjectof this invention and so dis- In order to remove such curl from the web,I

have provided at the receiving end of the machine a curl-removingmechanism generally indicated at C and from which the web travels toafeeding mechanism generally indicated at D. The feeding mechanismdelivers the continuous web to a cutting unit generally indicated at Ewhich is adapted to cut the said Web into. sheets ofuniformpredetermined lengths, .each sheet being cut from the continuous-webfalling upon and being positively gripped by a conveying mechanismgenerally indicated at F. The conveying mechanism F delivers the flatsheet to the printing mechanism generally indicated at G from which theprinted sheets are delivered to a receiving or stacking table H.

The curl-removing mechanism C comprises side frames 10, 10 rigidlysecured to the side frames 1, 1 as illustrated in Fig. 9. Rotatablymounted in bearings 11, 11, formed in the side frames 10, 10, aretrunnions 12, 12 which-project from the opposite ends of and rotatablysupport a guide roll 13 over which the continuous web X is adapted topass.

Spaced apart from and extending substantially parallel to the roll 13 isa second roll 14, which is rigidly secured to a shaft 15 rotatablymounted in bearings 15a, 15a formed in the side frame members 10.

Intermediate and substantially parallel to the rolls 13 and 14 is a roll16 having trunnions 17 rotatably mounted in grooves or slots 17a, 17aformed inthe sideframes 10, 10.

Above and below and substantially parallel with the roll 16 are locateddecurling blades 18 and 19 respectively.= The upper decurling blade 18is secured at'its opposite ends to arms 29, 20 which,

project laterally from collars 21, 21 which are secured to the upperends of rods 22, 22 respectively. The rods 22, 22 are slidably mountedin bearing lugs 23 and 24 formed on the inside of the side frames 10, 10respectively.

The lower decurling blade 19 is secured to collars 25, 25 which areadjustably fastened to the slide rods 22 by means of set screws 26. Theblades 18 and 19 are disposed in planes substantially at rightangleswith respect to each other,

and the plane of each being disposed at an angle with respect-to theaxes of the slide bars 22, 22 and each blade is provided with a bevelededge adapted to be brought into an operating position between theadjacent surfaces of the rolls 14 and 16 respectively.

Axial movement of the slide rods 22, 22 to bring the desired decurlingblade into, operative position is effected by means of a rock shaft 27rotatably mounted in the side frames 10, 10 and provided with levers 28,28 to the opposite ends of which are connected links 29, 29. Theopposite surface of the roll 16 and under the'beveled edge of thedecurling blade 18, thence over the upper surface of the adjacent roll14 which tends to produce a curl in the paper in a direction opposite tothe natural curl therein which balances the said natural curl and causesthe sheet to lie flat.

When operating with a web which has been rolled with the plain surfaceinnermost the decurling blade -19 is employed, the web then passing fromthe roll 13 under the roll 16 over the beveled edge of the blade 19 andunder the roll 14, the rods 22, 22 being moved axially to raise theblade 18. 'out of position and to bring the blade 19 into such aposition that the roll 16 is engaged thereby and is raised slightly tobring its trunnion 1 7 out of the bottom of the slots 17a, whereupon theroll 16 rests upon the paper being drawn over the beveled edge of theblade 19 to hold the paper down against said blade, whereupon the curlis removed from the paper.

The outer end of the shaft 27 is provided with a lever 31 having alaterally extending pin 32 which is adapted to enter either of a seriesof notches 33, 34 and 35 extending outwardly from a slot 36 formed in ahead 37 adiustably mounted on the threaded end 39 of a rod 40,theopposite end of the rod 40 being rotatably mounted in a bearing 41supported by one of the side frames 3 of the printing unit at thedelivery end of the machine, 'a hand wheel 42 being provided on the endof the adjusting rod 40 by means of which the rod may be rotated therebymoving the head 37 axially of said rod by means of the threads 39thereon cooperating with threads formed in a collar portion 43 of thehead 3'7. 1

Movement of the head 37 rocks the shaft 27 in a manner to increase ordecrease the degree of the angle formed in the paper by the decurlingblade which happensto be functioning.

In order to throwione of the decurling blades out of operation and tothrow the other of the -blades into operating position the head 37 israised by grasping the finger grip 44 thereof which releases the pin 32in the lever 31 from the notch in the head 37 which is occupied thereby,and by grasping the handle 45, which forms part of the lever 31, theshaft 27 may be rocked to bring the pin 32 into line with one of theother notches in the head 37 which brings the desired decurling bladeinto an operative position with respect to the rolls 14 and 16. I

From the guide roll 14 the web X passes over the top of a feed roll 50which is secured to a shaft 51 rotatably mpunted in bearings 52 formedin brackets 53, 53 which are secured to the side frames 1 of themachine.

,Co-operating with the feed roll 50 is an expansible feed roll 55 of thetype shown and described in my prior U. S. Patent No. 1,715,271,

dated May 28, 1929. This roll' comprises a shaft 56 on which is splineda series of flanged sleeves 57 on and between the flanges of which aredisposed a plurality of resilient rings 58 which when the sleeves 57 aremoved axially of the shaft 56 are expanded or contracted radially toincrease or diminish the circumference of the roll 55.

As shown and described in the said patent, the shaft 56 is rotatablymounted in eccentric bearing sleeves 59 which in turn are rotatablymounted in bearings 60 formed in the outer ends of the brackets 53. Thebearing sleeves 59 are provided with arms 61 connected at their outerends by 'a rod 62, springs 63 being provided which tend to rotate theeccentric bearings 59 in a manner to maintain the expansible-feed roll55 in contact with the surface of the roll 50 at all times, limit screws64 being carried by the arms 61 and engaging lugs 65 on the brackets 53whereby the proper amount of pressure is applied by'the roll 55 toproperly grip the paper between the surface thereof and the surface ofthe feed roll 50.

Movement of the levers 61 in a direction away from the roll 50'willrotate the eccentric bearing sleeves 59 in a manner to release theexpansible feed roll 55' from the feed roll 50, the springs 63 crossingthe center of rotation of the eccentric sleeves 59 during such movementwill maintain the expansiblefeed roll 55 out of engagement with respectto the feed roll 50.

From the feed rolls 50, 55 the web X passes over the cutting edge of afixed blade 70 which is .adjustably secured in a frame 71 secured to'the side frames 1 of the machine by means of bolts 72, adjusting screws72a being provided for the purpose of properly positioning the apron 71aof the frame '71 with respect to the feed roll 50. The cutting unit E isof substantially the same construction as the cutting unit shown anddescribed in the above mentioned .U. S. patent, and comprises the saidframe 71 in which is mounted the fixed blade 70 which is adapted toco-operate with a revolving blade '73 adjustably mounted in a rotaryframe 74 secured to a shaft 75 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 76rotate at a uniform predetermined rate of speed,

' and for each revolution of the'blade 73 a predetermined portion of theweb X is cut from the said web by the co-operating action of the blades70and 73. The length of the sheet is governed entirely by the speed ofrotation of the expansible friction feed wheel 55 which is adapted to bevaried to-feed any desired amount or length of the web across the fixedblade '70 during the rotation of the movable or rotary blade 73 withrespect thereto.

After the desired length of sheet is cut from the web X by-the cuttingunit E, the cut sheet is engaged. by the lower seriesof-conveyer beltsor tapes 80 forming part of the conveying mechanism F. I v p As theupper run of the tapes 80 mov es in the direction of the arrow shown inFig. 9, the sheet -passes'under a roll 81 which holds the sheet fiat Yon the tapes and directs the end of the sheet lower tapes so. 'Thetapesso and 82 direct the sheet between a series of lower guide fingers 83anda co-operating series of upper guide fingers 84 which guide the sheetbetween the periphery of the roll 85 and the platen roll 85 of theprinting unit B. The lower series of tapes at one end pass around a rollor a series of pulleys 87 which are secured to a shaft 90 rotatablymounted in bearings formed in the side members l, 1 of the ma-' chine.The opposite ends of the lower tapes 80 pass around a series'of pulleysor a rol1er88 which is secured to a shaft 89 rotatably mounted inbearings 91 formed on the outer ends of levers bearing against the sideframe members 3 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6.

The upper tapes 82 at one end pass around their roller or series ofpulleys 97 which are secured to a shaft 98 rotatably mounted in bearings99 formed on the upper ends of brackets 100 which are secured to theside frame members 5 in the present instance.

The opposite ends of the tapes 82 pass around the series of pulleys 101which are secured to a shaft 102 rotatably mounted in bearings 103formed on the ends of levers 104, the opposite ends of which are securedto a shaft or bar 105 extend- -ing transversely of the machine andsecured at its opposite ends in the side frames 3.

The lower guide fingers 83 are secured to a transversely extending bar106 which is secured at its opposite ends in the side frames 3. Theupper guide fingers 84 are secured to arms 107 which are carried by theabove mentioned transversely extendingbar 105. The presser roll 85 isrotatably mountedin the outer ends of arms 108 which are pivotallyattached at 109 to the side frames 3. The platen r011 86 is secured to ashaft 110 which is rotatably mounted at its opposite ends in bearings111 formed in levers 112 which are pivotally attached at 113 to the sideframes lower end of each of which is attached one end of a tensionspring 115, the opposite end of which 'is attached to the side frame 3.The arm 114' has a laterally extending portion 116 into which isthreaded a screw 117, the one end of which is adapted to engage a flatportion 118 formed in a transversely extending shaft 119. The shaft 119is rotatably mounted in bearings 120 formed inthe side frame members 3.

On one end of the shaft 119 is secured a lever 121, and on the oppositeend of the shaft 119 is an arm 122 into which is threaded a screw 123,

The levers 112 have depending arms 114 to the a the end of which bearsagainst an abutment 124 117 of the levers112 ride off theflat portions118 of the shaft-119 onto the circular or peripheral surface of the saidshaft which effects a rotation of the levers 112 about their pivots 113which causes the platen roll 86 to be moved from an operative to aninoperative position.

Rotation of the shaft 119 in the last said direction is limited by a lug125 (see Fig. 4) on the lever 122 engaging an abutment126 formed in theside frame 3.

. The platen roll 86,when in the operative position above described,co-operateswith suitable type 130' which is carriedzby a type block 131adjustably secured on the transversely extending bar 132 which, at itsopposite ends, isadjustably mounted on the peripheries of wheels 133,133

respectively. The wheels 133 are secured to a transversely extendingshaft 134 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 134a formed in the sideframe members 3, and as the shaft 134 is rotated the segmental typeblock 131 with the type. 130 thereon is likewise rotated and cooperateswith the platen roll 86 to print the identifying data on the samplesheet Z as illustrated in Fig. 6.

As shown in Figs. 6, 14 and 15, the type block 131 is segmental informand as shown in Fig. 8 in the present instance isof considerably shorterlength than the distance between the wheels 133, 133. On the outersurface of the type block 131 are radially extending type-receivinggrooves 135 into which are adapted to fit fins 136 (see Fig. 6) formedon the type slugs 137.

As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the type-receiving grooves 135 aresubstantially equally spaced around the periphery 138 of the type block.Between each successive pair of grooves 135 is a radially extendinggroove 139 which provides a fin 140 adjacent one side of each of thetypereceiving slots or grooves 135. At the opposite side of each of thetype-receiving grooves 135 is formed a relatively heavy and rigidportion 141.

At spaced intervals along each of the grooves 139 the type block 131 isprovided with tapered openings 142 which terminate in threaded openings143 formed in the base or ungrooved inner portion 144 of the type block131. The threaded openings 143 are adapted to receive correspondinglythreaded screw members 145 which have frusto-conical heads 146 which areadapted to move axially into the tapered openings 142 when the screws145 are tightened and thereby spread the relatively thin and more orless flexible portions 140 in opposite directions toward their adjacenttype-receiving grooves 135, which reduces the width of the saidtype-receiving grooves and thereby clamps the fins 136 of the type slugsrespectively within the said type-receiving grooves 135. The type block131, as above noted, is carried by the transversely extending bar 132which is slotted in a direction parallel to the shaft 134 as indicatedat 150 in Figs. 6 and 8.

Secured in the block 131 and passing through the slot 150 in thesupporting bar 132 is a stud 151 on the inner end of which is abutterfly nut 152 by which the block 131 is rigidly secured to a supsideedges of the sample being printed upon.

To insure parallel positioning of the block 131 with respect to thesupporting bar 132 the said block is provided with projections 153 atits opposite ends respectively and which extend into the slot in thesupporting bar 132.

As shown in Fig. 8, the supporting bar 132 is secured to the wheels orheads 133 by means of bolts 154 having rectangular heads 155 which fitwithin T-shaped grooves 156 which extend circumferentially of the wheels133. By this means the bar 132 and consequently the type block 131 maybe adjusted to any angular position with respect to the axis of theshaft 134 for positioning the block of identifying data at any desiredposition intermediate the end edges of the sample sheet being printedupon.

For the purpose of counterbalancing the weight of the supporting bar 132and the type block 131 a counterweight 157 is adjustably mounted on andextends between the wheels 133, 133 in substantially diametricallyopposed relation to the said supporting bar 132.

As shown in Fig. 16, a relatively long type block 131a may be usedproviding for a considerably greater number of type slugs, such a typeblock being supported by two or more of the supporting bars 132 whichmay be spaced, as illustrated in Fig. 16, circumferentially of thewheels 133 and adjacent the respective ends of the type block 131a.

Ink is supplied to the type slugs 137 in the present instance from afountain 159, in which is rotatably mounted an inking roll 160 againstwhich a wall 161 is adapted to bear at its lower ends, the upper edge ofthe .wall 161 being secured to a rigid side wall 162 of the ink fountainby means of bolts or other fastenings 163, the flexible wall 161 of thefountain being urged into contact with the periphery of the ink roll 160by a bar 164 which is engaged by screws 165 threaded into the rigid wall162 of the said ink fountain, a body of ink Y being disposed in theangle formed between the periphery of the ink roll 160 and thetangentially arranged flexible wall 161. The ink roll 160 is adapted tobe rotated in intermittent steps and in the direction of the arrow shownin Fig. 6 by a pawl and ratchet mechanism, the ratchet wheel 166 ofwhich is secured to the shaft or trunnion 167 of the ink roll 160 at oneend of the said roll, the ratchet wheel being engaged by a pawl 168pivotally mounted at 169 to an arm 170 which is loosely mounted forrotation on the trunnion 167. Pivotally connected at 171 to the arm 170is one end of a link 172, the opposite end of which is pivotallyconnected at 173 to one end of a second link 174. The opposite end of.the link 174 is pivotally mounted on a stud 175 which is eccentricallymounted on and projects from the end of the shaft 134 as clearly shownin Fig. 4. As the shaft 34 rotates the stud 175 being eccentric withrespect thereto causes reciprocation of the links 174 and 1'72 which inturn causes an intermittent rotation of the ink roll 160.

The printing slugs, as the shaft 134 rotates, are adapted to engage aninking roll which is rotatably mounted in a relatively fixed positionwith 115 respect to the axis of the shaft 134 in arms 177, 1'77 pivotedat 178 to frame members 1'79 which are secured to the side frame members3 of the machine. Stop screws 1'76 are provided in the arms 177 and bearagainst the frames 179 to maintain the roll 180 in correct position tobe engaged by the type slugs 136. The inking roll 180 is engaged by adistributing roll 181 which is rotatably mounted in the said framemembers 179 rotatably engaging the periphery of the inking roll 125 180at all times and in addition thereto receiving an axial movementtransversely of the machine by means hereinafter set forth.

Adapted to alternately engage the distributing roll 181 and the fountainroll 160 is a transferring 130 roll 182 which is rotatably mounted inarms 183 which are secured to a transversely extending shaft 184 mountedfor oscillation in the said frame members 179.

As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft 184 is provided 135 with an arm 185 whichis connected by a link 186 to one arm 187 of a bell crank lever 188. Thebell crank lever 188 is pivotally mounted at 190 to one of the sideframe members 3 of the machine. The second arm 191 of the bell cranklever 188 is 149 provided with a roller or cam follower 192 which isadapted to be engaged by a cam 193 rigidly secured to the shaft 134 andas the said shaft 134 is rotated the cam 193 engaging the cam followerM5 192 causes the bell crank lever 188 to be rocked about its pivotwhich, through the link 186 and arm 185, causes the rocking motion inthe shaft 184. Rocking of the shaft 184 causes the transfer roll 182 toalternately engage the fountain roll 150 a l l 1 160 and thedistributing roll 181. A spring 194 having one of its ends secured tothe frame member 179 and its opposite end secured to one of the levers183 (see Fig. 3) tends to move the transfer roll 182 into engagementwith the distributing roll 181 and maintains the cam follower 192 inoperative contact with the cam 193 at all times.

Axial movement of the distributing roll 181 is effected by mechanismclearly shown in Fig. 7. The distributing roll 181 is provided withshafts or trunnions 195 which are splined to sleeve bearings 196 whichin turn are rotatably mounted in antifriction bearings 197 located inthe side frame members 179. One end of the shaft 195 is provided with ahead 198 within which the said shaft is free to rotate but preventedfrom any axial relative movement with respect to the said head, wherebymovement of the head in a direction longitudinally of the distributingroll 181 will effect a similar endwise movement of the said roll. Axialmovement of the distributing roll 181 is effected by a link 199pivotally connected at one of its ends to the control head 198, theopposite end of the link 199 being pivotally connected to one arm 200 ofa bell crank lever 201 which is pivotally mounted at 202 to a bracket202a extending laterally from and rigidly secured to a side frame member179. The second arm-203 of the bell crank lever 201 is provided with a.I

stud 204 which'projects through an opening 205 formed in theabove-mentioned link 174, the walls of the opening 205 being curvedlongitudinally of the stud 204 to provide for a universal movement'ofthe stud 204 with respect to the link 174. The above-mentionedreciprocation of the link 174 through the bell crank lever 201 willeffect the desired axial movement of the distributing roll 181 wherebythe ink deposited thereon by the transfer roll 182 will be distributedlongitudinally along and circumferentially of the inking roll 180 as thesame is rotated. Q

As previously mentioned, the length of the sample sheet Z to be cut fromthe web X depends upon the speed of rotation of the feed roll 55 withrespect to a single rotation of the r0- tary knife 73, whereby more orless of the web X is fed across the fixed blade from the time of oneco-operative engagement of the rotary knife 73 with said fixed blade 70to the next successive co-operative engagement between these saidknives.

For the purpose of obtaining the proper speed for any desired length ofsample sheet the following driving mechanism is provided:

Let it be known at this time that the shaft 134 on which the type block131 is mounted and by which the same is rotated and the shaft 75 whichsupports and rotates the rotary knife 73 rotate at the same speed, thatis a speed ratio of one to one at all times and each time the rotaryblade 73 co-operates with the fixed blade 71 to cut a sheet Z from theweb X the printing On the shaft 75 is a gear 210 which meshes with apinion 211 carried by and secured to the shaft 90. The pinion 211 mesheswith a gear wheel 212 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 213rotatably mounted in bearings 214 and 215, the former of which is formedin the side frame member 1 and the latter of which is formed in abracket 216 which is carried by atransversely extending supportingbeam217 which is secured at its opposite ends to the side frame members1, 1. The gear 212 meshes with a similar spur gear 220 which isrotatably mounted on a stud 221 carried by a bracket 222 which in thepresent instance forms a part of the side frame member 5.

Secured to and adapted to rotate with the spur gear 220 is a bevel gearwheel 223 which meshes with a bevel pinion 224 which is secured to oneend of a horizontally disposed shaft 225. On the opposite end of theshaft 225 is secured a similar bevel pinion 226 which meshes with abevel gear 227 which is rotatably mounted on a stud 228 projectinglaterally from and supported by the side frame member 3.

Secured to and adapted to rotate with the bevel gear wheel 227 is a spurgear 229 which meshes with a spur gear 230 which is secured to theplaten roll shaft 110. The gear wheel 230 on the platen roll shaft 110meshes with a gear wheel 231 secured to the type shaft 134.v

Let' it be here noted that when the platen roll 86 is moved to aninoperative positionwith respect to the printing block 131 the relativemovement between the shaft 110 and the shaft 134 is insufficient to movethe teeth of the wheel 230 out of engagement with the teeth of the wheel231 thereby maintaining the true relation between the cutting shaft 75and the printing shaft 134 at all times.

Power is applied to the machine in the present instance by a beltpassing around a pulley 235 which is secured to the shaft 90, it beingnoted that the roll or pulley wheels 87 around which the tapes 80 passare mounted on this main drive shaft 90, whereby the speed of travel ofthe tapes remains constant at all times and in a fixed relation withrespect to the rotation of the shafts 75 and 134. The drive for the feedroller 55 is taken from the shaft 213 and is adapted to be varied tosuit any length sheet desired. For this purpose the shaft 213 isprovided with a series of gear wheels, in the present instance three innumber designated as 240, 241 and 242. Adapted to mesh with any one ofthe gears 240, 241 or .242

is a gear wheel 243 which is rotatably mounted on a pin 244 (see Fig.10) secured in a yoke arm 245 which is pivotally and slidably mounted ona shaft 246, the shaft 246 being rotatably mounted in a bearing 247formed in the side frame 1, a bearing 248 formed on the bracket 216 anda bearing 249 formed on a bracket 250, which, like the bracket 216, iscarried by the transverse frame member 217. Splined to the shaft 246 anddisposed between the side arms of the yoke lever 245 is a gear wheel 251with which the gear wheel I 243 meshes. The yoke arm 245 is adapted tobe moved alongthe shaft 246 in a manner to bring the gear wheel 243 intomesh with either the gear 240, 241 or 242, whereby a substantially greatdifference in the speeds of the shafts 213 and 246 is accomplished.

Secured to the shaft 246 is a, plurality of gears disposed side by sideand having diameters which slightly vary one from the other and ineffect produce a toothed cone or cone frusted.

Rotatably mounted in the side frames 1, 1 and extending parallel .to theshaft 246 is a shaft 261 to which is splined a gear wheel 262. I he gearwheel 262 is mounted between side arms of a yoke lever 263 which ispivotally and slidably a gear wheel 268 rotatably mounted on a stud 269which projects laterally from one of the brackets 53 (see Fig. 9). Ihegear wheel 268 meshes with a gear wheel 270 secured to one end of theshaft 56 on which is carried the feed roll 55.

From the above it will be obvious that the speed of the feed roll 55 maybe varied with respect to a single rotation of the knife 73 to feedpractically any desired length of sheet across the stationary blade 70while the rotary blade 73 is making one revolution between cuts.

For the purpose of maintaining the yoke arm 263 in the position to whichit has been adjusted a retaining member 271 is provided which extendstransversely of the machine and is provided with a plurality of holes272 adapted to, receive a locking pin 273 (see Fig. 9) carried by alateral extension 274 on the yoke arm 263, a lever 275 being pivoted atone of its ends to the locking pin 273 vand at its opposite end to thesaid yoke arm 263; said lever 275 having a hand grip 276 disposedsubstantially parallel to a hand grip 277 formed on the yoke arm 263, aspring 278 being interposed between the two to keep the locking pin inlocking engagement with the locking bar 271. A similar arrangement ispro-. vided for the yoke arm 245, a locking'bar 280 being supported atits opposite ends by the bracket 216 and the side frame 1 respectively,the yoke arm 245 having a vertical extension 281 in which is slidablymounted a locking pin 282 which is adapted to engage in holes 283 formedin the locking bar 280, a lever 284 beingpivoted at one end to the yokearm 245 and at its opposite end to the locking pin- 282 and providedwith a hand grip 285 extending substantially parallel to a hand grip 286formed on the yoke arm 245 with a spring 287 being interposed betweenthe two to maintain the locking pin 282 in looking engagement withthelocking bar 280.

In order to minutely control the feeding of the web X over the fixedblade 70, Iprovide a brake shoe 290 which is adapted to bear against theperiphery of the feed roll 50, the brake, shoe being carried by thelever 291 pivoted at 292 to the side frame of the machine, and theopposite end of the lever 293 being pivotally connected to a yoke head294 threaded-on to the end of a controlling rod 295 which extendstowards the delivery end of the machine and is provided with a handwheel 296 by which the shaft 295 may berotated to cause the threads atone end of the rod or'shaft-295 to move the yoke head 294 longitudinallyof the said rod,- it being understood that the rod itself is heldagainst axial movement in a bearing 295a secured to theside frame ,1. Q

Movement of the head 294 on the rod 295 causes the lever 291,v 293 to berocked about its pivot 292 to apply or release the brake shoe 290 withrespect to the feed roll 50. This mechanism is clearly shown anddescribed in my prior Patent No. 1,707,839, dated April 2, 1929.

When the web X is being fed over the top of the rolls 13, 14 and 16 withthe decurling blade 18 operating between the rolls 14 and 16, the roll14 is permitted to rotate freely, but when the paper is being deliveredover the top of the roll 13 and under the rolls 14 and 16 with thedecurling blade 19 operating between the rolls 14 and 16, the roll 14 isthen adapted to be driven and for this purpose the shaft 15, on whichthe roll 14 is secured, is provided with a gear wheel 297 which isadapted to mesh with a gear wheel 298 rotatably mounted on a stud 299projecting laterally from the side frame of the machine.

The gear wheel 298 is adapted to be brought into mesh with ordisengagedfrom the gear wheel 267 for the purpose of driving the roll 14 or forpermitting the same to run free as above noted.

In order to permit of such manipulation of the gear wheel 298 the saidgear is adapted to be moved axially of the stud 299 on which it isrotatably mounted, means being provided for locking the gear in eitherits operative or its in operative position, such means being shown indetail in Fig. 13, wherein the stud 299 is provided with a pair ofcircumferential grooves 300 and 301 and the hub 302 of the gear 298 isprovided with a spring-pressed detent 304 slidably mounted in a radiallyextending opening 305 formed in the hub 302, said opening being closedby a screw or plug 306 between which and the outer end of the detent 304is provided a compression spring 307. When the detent 304 is riding inthe groove 301 the gear 298 is out of mesh with the gears 267 and 297,but when the detent 304 is riding in the groove 300 the gear wheel 298is then in mesh with both the gear 267and the gear wheel 297, wherebythe roll 14 is power driven. f

In order to place the block of identifying data at a definite positionwith respect to the ends of each sheet cut, regardless of the length ofthe sheet, means has been provided for effecting the positioning of theblock of identifying data on thesheet and by which the printing blockmay be readily adiusted to the predetermined position when the machineis set up for cutting a different size sheet from that which has beenpreviously cut on the machine. 1

For the purpose of explanation, we will assume that in every case it hasbeen desired to place the block of identifying data in the center of thesample sheet. In order to accomplish this with the smallest 'sheetcapable of being cut on.

the machine, 'a certain amount of sheet must pass over the platen roll86 before the type carriedby the, printing block 231 is brought intoprinting contact with the paper passing over the platen roll 86. Forthis purpose the set up of the elements of the machine as illustrated inthe drawings is employed.

'Now if it is desired to change the machine to cut the largest possiblesheet, the yoke levers 245 and 263 are'moved to the other extremeposition along the respective shafts 246 and 261, whereby the speed ofthe roll 55 will be increased to feed the desired amount of paper acrossthe fixed blade 71 between cuts made by the rotary blade 73.

I'heknife 73 and the printing block 131 rotate at the same speed; thatis, one for one, and the tapes 80 and 82 move at a constant linear speedin a constant relation to the rotary speed of the knife 73 and printingblock 131. Thus, when the rotary knife 73 cuts a sheet from the web thatis passing over the fixed knife 70 the cut sheet immediately falls ontoand slides along the lower tapes until the forward edge of the sheetcomes into contact with the upper tapes 82, or the feed roll 81 whenused, whereupon the forward edge of the sheet will be gripped bctweenthetapes 80 and roll 81 or tapes 82, as the case may be, and is carriedforward to the printing unit by the tapes 80, 82 at a predetermineddefinite rate of speed bearing a constant relation to the speed ofrotation of the knife 73 and the printing block 131, therefore, it willbe obvious that regardless of the length of the sheet theforward edge ofthe sheet will be gripped between the tapes 80 and 82 at substantiallythe same/time as the sheet is cut by the knife 73; thus, themovement ofthe for-,- ward edge of the sheet is always timed from the moment thesheet is cut by the knife 73. The time required for the forward edge ofthe sheet to reach the platen roll 86 is constant; regardless of thelength of the sheet and the timing of the impression of the printingblock 131 on the sheet is accordingly calculated fromthe time theforward edge of the sheet passes over the platen roll 36. Thus, insetting the machine so that the printed matter will be positioned in thecenter of a sheet of any given sizethe amount of .the sheet passing overthe platen roll 86 before the printing block 131 contacts with the sheetmust be taken into consideration at all times, as this amount will varyin every different length of sheet. In order to properly position theblock of identifying data on the larger sheet, means has been providedbetween the gear wheel 231 and the shaft 134 whereby the printing blockmay be moved backward so that the type carried thereby will not engagewith the paper until a greater amount of paper has passed ]over theplaten roll 36 For this purpose the gear 231 is in the form of a ringcarried on the periphery of a hub member 310 which is keyed to. the oneend of the shaft 134. In the ring gear 231 is formed rotation by theteeth thereof being in mesh with the teeth of the gear 230, and in orderto facilitate and accurately determine this adjustment for the varioussize sheets the ring gear 231 is provided with graduations correspondingto the various size sheets capable of being cut on this machine, and thehub member 310 is provided with an arrow 316' adapted to be brought intoregistry with the particular graduation corresponding to the size sheetto be printed upon whereafter the nuts 315 are again tightened to lockthe ring gear 231 to the hub member 310 so that the two may'move as aunit.

If it is desired to place the block of identifying data at a positionother than the center of the sheet, the bar 132 may be adjustedcircumferenof the machine as viewed in Fig. 1 and within easy reach ofthe controls 42, 121 and 296 is in a position to quickly correct anyvariation'that may occur due to the condition of the paper of which thesamples are composed, for instance, if as the -web X is drawn from theroll on which it has been wound reduces the size of the roll the smallerthe roll the greater the amount of curl occurs in the paper, therefore,the' operator by watching the sheets as they come through the machinemay by operating the control 42 move the decurling blade to a positionto place a greater counter-curl in the paper to offset the natural curlthereof. In doing thisit may so happen that an increased tension will beplaced on the web X whereupon the sheet coming through would be somewhatreduced in length. This the operator may readily correct by operatingthe control 296 which would tend to reduce the retarding effect of thebrake shoe 290 on the lower feed roll 50 whereupon the sheet will bebrought back tothe correct size, it being understood that the brake shoeexerts a retarding effect on the roll 50 and as there is more surfacecontact between the roll50 and the web X than there is between the feedroll 55 and the webX a certain amount of slippage between the roll 55and the web X oc-. curs and this is minutely controlled by the retardingeffect produce by the brake shoe 290.

Likewise if for some reason or other a sheet should come through theconveying mechanism F in a folded or wrinkled condition or if a sheetcoming through should be defective in some way the operator by throwingthe lever 121 may move the platen roll 86 to its inoperative position asabove noted so that the type carried by the block 131 will not engagethe paper.

As above described the ink fountain roll 160 is intermittently rotatedwhile the distributing roll 181 is continuously rotated and at the sametime receives axial reciprocation, and in order to permit of suchreciprocation and at the same time providing the continuous rotation ofthis roll the shaft195 on its end opposite the head 198 1 5 is providedwith a narrow faced gear 318 (see Figs. 3 and -'7) which meshes with abroader faced idler gear 319, which in turn meshes with the gear 231 bywhich the printing block 131 is rotated.

As shown in Fig. 7, the face of the gear 319 is sufficiently broad tomaintain operative connection with the gear 313 as the distributing roll181 is axially reciprocated. I i

The inking roll 180 and the. transferring roll 182 are rotated merely bycontact with the dis- 5 tributing roll 181. p

In order to positively grip'and carry the sheet Z after it is cut fromthe web X, the upper series of .tapes 82 are! driven at the same speedas the lower series of tapes 80, and for this purpose the shaft 98 onwhich the pulleys 99 are mounted has secured to one of its ends asprocket wheel 325 around which passes a sprocket chain 326, thesprocket chain also passing around an idler sprocket 327 on the shaft261 (see Fig. 2) around an idler sprocket 328 rotatably mounted on astud 329, which is carried by the frame member 1 and around a sprocketwheel 331, which is secured to the main drive shaft 90, the idler 328being adjustable with respect to the frame member 1 to take up slack inthe sprocket chain 326.

In order to prevent the feed roll 81 from jumping due to some vibrationwhich m ayoccur in the lower tapes 80 the said roll 81 is rotatablymounted in the outer ends of levers 335, the hubs 336 of which areloosely mounted on the shaft 98, the said shaft being provided withcircumferential grooves 337 which are adapted to receive segmentalplates 338 secured to the hubs 336, whereby lateral movement of thelevers 335 is prevented, the said hub members having lugs 339 projectingfrom the side thereof opposite the levers 335 and adapted to be engagedby projections 340 formed on collars 341 which are secured to atransversely extending rod 342 secured at its opposite ends in thebrackets 100. By this means the roll 81 is held down into contact withthe upper runs of the tapes at all times.

In some instances, especially in cutting extremely large sheets, thetape rolls 87 for the lower tapes 80 may be mounted on a sleeve looselymounted on the shaft 90 with the sprocket wheel 331 secured to the endof the sleeve on which the tape wheels 87 are secured. In this case thesprocket wheel 32'? will be secured to the shaft 261. The sprocket chain326 passing around the wheels 327, 331 and 325 will then be driven fromthe shaft 261, instead of from the shaft 90, and when the speed of theshaft 261 is increased or decreased to change the speed of the feed roll55 the lineal speed of the tapes 30 and 82 will be correspondinglychanged, thus in the extremely large sheets the rear end of the sheetwill be carried out of the path of the rotating knife 73 more quickly.

I claim:

1. In a sheet cutting and'printing machine the combination of a webcutting unit, aprinting unit, means for feeding a continuous web tothecutting unit, means for conveying a cut sheet from the cutting unitto the printing unit, a pair of relatively spaced guide rolls for theweb in advance of said feeding means, a pair of blades operable againstthe web intermediate said pair of guide rolls, and means for selectivelyeffecting engagement of said blades with said web for removing curl fromthe web.

2. In a sheet cutting and printing machine the combination of a webcutting unit, a printing unit, means for feeding a continuous web to thecutting unit, means for positively gripping and conveying a cut sheetfrom the cutting unit to the printing unit, means for controlling thefeeding unit to minutely govern the feeding of the web to the cuttingunit, means for removing curl from the web, and means for readilyvarying the curl-removing means manually-while the said curl-removingmeans remains in contact with the continuously moving web.

l 3. In a sheet cutting and printing machine, the combination of adiametrically expansible and contractible feed roll and a retarding rollcooperating therewith to feed a continuous web at a minutely controlledlineal speed to said machine, a cutting unit comprising a stationary.

knife and a rotary knife adapted to intermittently co-operate with saidstationary knife to cut the sheet from a continuous web as it is beingfed across said stationary knife, a printing unit comprising arelatively fixed platen roll and a rotary type block adapted toco-operate withsaid relatively fixed platen roll to print upon a thecombination of a cutting unit comprising a stationary knife and a rotaryknife adapted to intermittently co-operate with said stationary knife tocut a sheet from a continuous web being fed across said stationaryknife, a printing unit comprising a relatively fixed platen roll and arotary type block adapted to co-operate with said relatively fixedplaten roll to print upon asheet cut from said web, means forsynchronously rotating said knife and said printing block, means forpositively gripping and conveying a cut sheet from the cutting unit tothe printing unit in an assured definitely timed relation to theprinting block in its cycle of rotation, and means for continuouslyfeeding said web across said stationary knife at a substantially uniformminutely controlled lineal speed comprising a diametrically expansibleand contractible feed roll and a freely rotatably roll each in pe-=ripheral contact with the web, and means for retarding the rotation ofthe freely rotatable roll.

5., In a sheet cutting and printing machine, the combination of acutting unit comprising a sta tionary knife and a rotary knife adaptedto intermittently co-operate with said stationary knife to cut a sheetfrom a continuous web being fed across said stationary knife, a printingunit comprising a relatively fixed platen roll and a rotary.

type block adapted to co-operate with said relativelyfixed platen rollto print upon a sheet cut from said web, means for synchronouslyrotating said knife and said printing block, means for positivelygripping and conveying a cut sheet from ice the cutting unit to theprinting unit in an assured definitely timed relation to the printing,

block in its cycle of rotation, means for contin-' uously feeding saidweb across said stationary knife at a substantially uniform minutelycontrolled lineal speed comprising a diametrically expansible andcontractible feed roll and a freely termittently co-operate with saidstationary knife to out a sheet from a continuous web being fed acrosssaid stationary knife, a printing unit comprising a relatively fixedplaten roll and a rotary type block adapted to co-operate with saidrelatively fixed platen roll to print upon a sheet cutfrom said web,means for synchronously rotating said knife and said printing block,means for conveying a cut sheet from'the cutting unit to the printingunit in a definitely timed relation to the printing block in its cycleof rotation, means for continuously feeding said web across saidstationary knife at a substantially uniform lineal speed? comprising afreely rotatable roll around which the web is adapted to pass, acontinuously driven roll tangentially bearing against the web on thefree roll, and means for retarding the rotation of the free roll toproduce slippage of the driven roll for minutely controlling the linealspeed of the web across the stationary knife.

'7; In a sheet cutting and printing machine, the

combination of a'cutting unit comprising a stationary knife and a rotaryknife adapted to intermittently co-operate with said stationary knife tocut a sheet from a continuous web being fed across said stationaryknife, a printing unit comprising a relatively fixed platen roll and arotary type block adapted to co-operate with said relatively fixedplaten roll to print upon a sheet cut-j

